New York Lawmakers Legalize E-Bikes, E-Scooters in June

As of June, E-bikes, and e-scooters are now legal in New York, but it is unlikely scooter rental companies will set up shop in Manhattan any time soon. In June, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson celebrated Albany’s passage of a bill legalizing e-bikes and e-scooters statewide – considered a big win for food-delivery workers who have long fought for the right to rush orders around town.

Here are a couple things to know about e-bikes and e-scooters:

Riders must stay in bike lanes and are banned from sidewalks and greenways – the 32-mile stretch of pathway lining the perimeter of Manhattan.

Riders must be at least 16 years old, but they don’t have to wear helmets.

Speed on the bikes is limited to 20 mph and drivers must have one hand on the handlebar at all times.

The bill allows each city or town to create its own regulations for electric travel. Currently, scooter rental companies aren’t allowed in Manhattan – you have to own them. Scooter-share companies that want to set up shop in other boroughs need special authorization from the city.

Johnson said he’s open to the idea of dockless scooter shares, but NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill wants to proceed cautiously. “Last year, we had over 200 people killed in traffic fatalities,” O’Neill said.

Speaker Johnson said the city council plans to take up the issue of e-bikes and e-scooters in Manhattan soon, but wouldn’t commit to an exact date.